Car Insurance for High Risk Drivers

If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, or if you have multiple minor convictions or claims (speeding tickets, traffic light violations, at-fault accidents etc.), you might be classified as a high risk driver.

Unfortunately, car insurance companies have their own criteria for what classifies a driver as high risk, so keeping the cleanest record possible is the only sure way to avoid the category. Convictions stay on your record for three years, while claims can stay on your record for six to nine years, depending on the car insurance company.

On the other hand, high risk drivers still have options. There are car insurance companies in Ontario that specialize in this field, such as Perth Insurance Co and Jevco Insurance Company. Since these companies specialize in this area, they’re best suited to work with anyone considered high risk.

If you do happen to fall into the high risk category, high premiums are almost unavoidable. Car insurance companies have pegged you as having a high probability of an accident, and in order to protect themselves from loss, often raise premiums to exorbitant rates. Sometimes, car insurance companies notify high risk drivers that they won’t be renewing their policy following the addition of another risk factor on the driver’s record.

If you’ve been placed with a high risk company like Perth or Jevco, it’s important to focus on avoiding any more claims or convictions, as the next step is often revoking your license. Your main goal should be getting back on a standard policy. Because these companies like Perth and Jevco insure a smaller base of drivers, they can’t disperse the risk as much as companies like Aviva or Economical, and as a result, your premium will be higher.

As a high risk driver it’s even more important to shop and compare high risk car insurance rates. Keep track of your claims and convictions, and know when they’re set to come off your record: three years for convictions and six to nine years for claims. Once something comes off your record, your rate can go down, and you might even fall back into the low-risk category.